Ezekiel 11 16

Ezekiel 11:16 kjv

Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.

Ezekiel 11:16 nkjv

Therefore say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Although I have cast them far off among the Gentiles, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet I shall be a little sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone." '

Ezekiel 11:16 niv

"Therefore say: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Although I sent them far away among the nations and scattered them among the countries, yet for a little while I have been a sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.'

Ezekiel 11:16 esv

Therefore say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: Though I removed them far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a while in the countries where they have gone.'

Ezekiel 11:16 nlt

"Therefore, tell the exiles, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Although I have scattered you in the countries of the world, I will be a sanctuary to you during your time in exile.

Ezekiel 11 verses

Ezekiel 11 16 Meaning

Ezekiel 11:16 conveys a message of profound reassurance from God to the exiles in Babylon. Despite His judgment in removing them from their land and scattering them among the nations, God declares that He Himself will become a spiritual "sanctuary" (a dwelling place of His holy presence) for them in the very countries of their exile. This promise mitigates the despair of losing the physical Temple in Jerusalem and affirms God's continued, intimate presence with His people, even in their displacement and humiliation, for a duration or measure appropriate to their exilic condition.

Ezekiel 11 16 Context

Ezekiel 11:16 is delivered during a period of severe judgment for Judah, specifically in the context of the impending (or already in process) destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by Babylon. The preceding chapters in Ezekiel focus heavily on the idolatry and spiritual depravity in Jerusalem, leading to God's announced departure of His glory from the Temple (Ezek 8-10) and the severe condemnation of corrupt leaders (Ezek 11:1-13). Ezekiel 11 records God’s judgment upon the wicked leaders in Jerusalem and the impending doom for the city.

Within this harsh prophetic context of judgment and displacement, verse 16 offers a stark contrast and a profound word of hope for the faithful among the exiles. It addresses the natural despair of those who had lost the physical symbols of God's presence—the Temple and the Land. For an Israelite, God's dwelling in the Temple and His covenant with His people were intrinsically tied to the land of Israel. To be cast out of the land and to see the Temple defiled and destroyed would naturally lead to a sense of abandonment and separation from God. This verse provides a radical redefinition of God's presence, assuring them that His presence is not confined by geography or human structures. It anticipates a new, more intimate form of worship that is not dependent on the Jerusalem Temple, a crucial theological bridge from the Old Covenant to the New.

Ezekiel 11 16 Word analysis

• Therefore say, 'Thus says the Lord God: This opening emphasizes the divine authority and certainty of the message. Ezekiel is a direct messenger; the words are God’s own, countering any doubt or despair from human reasoning.
• Although I have removed them far off among the nations,
  • Although: The Hebrew "גַם כִּי" (gam ki) means "even though," "indeed though." It introduces a concession, highlighting God's acknowledgment of their plight and His agency in it.
  • I have removed them far off: The Hebrew "הִרְחַקְתִּים" (hirḥaqtīm) is a Hiphil perfect verb, emphasizing God's direct, causative action. This was not a random geopolitical event; God sovereignly orchestrated their exile as a form of judgment, yet with a redemptive purpose.
  • among the nations: Signifies their dispersal into foreign, often hostile, pagan environments.
• and although I have scattered them among the countries,
  • scattered them: The Hebrew "וָאֱפִיצֵם" (va'afīṣēm) further stresses God's active hand in their dispersion, reiterating the judgment aspect.
  • among the countries: Reaffirms the wide dispersion, emphasizing that no land or region outside Israel would prevent God's access or care for them.
• yet I have been to them a sanctuary for a little while in the countries where they have gone.’
  • yet: A strong adversative, introducing the surprising grace and comfort after the judgment.
  • I have been to them: Implies a continuous and personal relationship. God remains their God.
  • a sanctuary: The Hebrew "לְמִקְדָּשׁ" (lᵉmiqˈdāš) means "as a sanctuary," "as a holy place," or "as a temple." This is the theological core of the verse. God Himself, in His presence, becomes the functional equivalent of the Temple that they have lost. It’s a profound shift from a physical, localized building to an omnipresent, personal reality. It is spiritual, rather than architectural, communion with Him. This substitutes for the formal, institutionalized worship centered in Jerusalem.
  • for a little while: The Hebrew "מְעַט" (mᵉ'aṭ) can mean "a little," "few," "a small amount," or "briefly." Its interpretation is debated but generally points to one of these:
    • Temporarily: God’s presence as a sanctuary during the duration of their exile until their return (e.g., Jer 29:10).
    • Limited in scope/manifestation: Not the full glory of the Jerusalem Temple, but a sufficient, intimate presence suited for their humbling circumstances.
    • For the few (remnant): A "little sanctuary" for a faithful remnant, implying not all exiles would experience this intimacy.
    • Sufficiently/Adequately: "I have been for them a sufficient sanctuary." This highlights its quality as being enough for their needs in exile.The consensus leans towards it being a genuine, albeit spiritual and temporary, replacement for the Temple, providing sufficient divine presence during exile.
  • in the countries where they have gone: This emphasizes God's presence in their exact geographical locations of suffering, underscoring that His reach and care extend beyond the boundaries of Israel.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Although I have removed them... and although I have scattered them": This highlights God's ultimate sovereignty and authorship over their exile. It wasn't arbitrary or accidental; it was a divine act of judgment, demonstrating His justice and control even in devastating circumstances. This perspective reframed their suffering, acknowledging God's hand but paving the way for understanding His continuing purpose.
• "yet I have been to them a sanctuary": This pivotal clause introduces radical grace. It directly counters the despair of losing the physical Temple. God offers Himself as the replacement for the destroyed central place of worship, signifying that true worship and relationship with Him transcend location and material structures. It's a promise of intimate, spiritual communion.
• "a sanctuary for a little while in the countries where they have gone": This phrase further details the nature and scope of this divine provision. It clarifies that this sanctuary is available precisely where they are suffering exile, asserting God's omnipresence and loving attention. The "for a little while" (מְעַט) suggests this spiritual sanctuary serves as a vital interim provision, both sustaining the exiles through their temporal displacement and pointing to a future, fuller restoration of physical dwelling. It assures a temporary, yet real and sufficient, divine presence, comforting the disheartened exiles and distinguishing this period of exile from permanent abandonment.

Ezekiel 11 16 Bonus section

This verse contains a crucial polemic against the pagan understanding of gods being localized and tied to specific temples or lands. For the surrounding nations, the destruction of a nation's temple implied the defeat or inability of its god. Yahweh, by contrast, demonstrates His sovereignty over geography, political events, and human structures. His presence transcends these limitations, powerfully declaring His unique nature as the omnipresent, covenant-keeping God.

The phrase "a sanctuary" (מִקְדָּשׁ, miqdash) hints at a shift from visible, ritualistic worship to a more internalized, personal experience of God's holiness and presence. This was a preparation for the post-exilic community, which would come to emphasize Torah study and synagogue worship, neither of which required a physical Temple but centered on God's word and spiritual gathering. It also profoundly anticipates the Incarnation, where God dwelt among us in Christ (John 1:14), and the New Covenant, where the Holy Spirit makes individual believers and the corporate church His dwelling place (1 Cor 6:19; Eph 2:22). This re-calibrated understanding allowed for spiritual survival and ultimately led to a stronger, purer faith that was less dependent on outward forms.

Ezekiel 11 16 Commentary

Ezekiel 11:16 stands as a beacon of hope and a profound theological statement amidst the despair of the Babylonian exile. When the people of Judah saw their beloved Temple—the physical manifestation of God's dwelling—threatened and eventually destroyed, they feared utter abandonment by God. Their identity and access to God were deeply intertwined with Jerusalem and its sacred structures.

This verse challenges and redefines their understanding of God's presence. God emphatically states that He Himself would be their "sanctuary." This means that despite the destruction of the Temple and their displacement, God would remain accessible and provide spiritual protection, comfort, and communion wherever they were scattered. His presence was not limited to a physical building or a particular geographical location. This was a radical idea for people whose spiritual life had centered on the Jerusalem Temple for centuries.

The phrase "for a little while" (מְעַט) is significant. It implies that this spiritual sanctuary, though real and sufficient, was tailored to their exilic condition—a temporary but vital provision until their eventual return to the land and the rebuilding of a new Temple (and ultimately, looking forward to the greater New Covenant reality where Christ is the Temple and believers are His dwelling). It provided not a lesser God, but a God who adapts His presence to meet His people's needs in dire circumstances. It highlighted God's sovereignty (He scattered them) and His enduring faithfulness (He is their sanctuary).

This concept carries profound implications: God's love and commitment transcend human sin and the subsequent judgment. It teaches that authentic worship can happen anywhere and that God desires personal, intimate fellowship with His people regardless of their outward circumstances. This message sustained the faithful remnant through the exile, encouraging them to live holy lives and nurture their spiritual connection with God even without the rituals and physical trappings of the Jerusalem Temple. Ultimately, this promise foreshadows the New Covenant, where Christ is the ultimate Temple (John 2:19-21) and the Holy Spirit dwells in believers individually and collectively (1 Cor 3:16, Eph 2:19-22), making God accessible directly to all.

Short examples for practical usage:

• A Christian in a war-torn country, displaced and without a physical church, still finds God’s presence and comfort in their personal prayers and faith, making God their sanctuary.
• Someone suffering chronic illness, isolated at home, discovers that their living room can become a place of profound worship and encounter with God, demonstrating that God is not limited to church buildings but can be their personal sanctuary.